Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
This was the first Boston area show for The Rationales with Chad Raleigh on guitar. Based on the string of rippin’ guitar lines he unleashed at Radio, I think things are going to work out just fine.
If you’re looking for the tipping point of the One Year Of Radio show where the event went from dignified celebration to rock ‘n’ roll debauchery, look no further than OldJack’s set. There would be plenty of time for things to get really out of hand, but this band of merrymakers certainly played a role in the decline of local civilization. They brought the songs. They brought the show. OldJack helped us find our way to the place we knew we had to go.
The Rationales were the first band to play at Radio. It’s only fitting that they take part in the venue’s first anniversary show. They closed their set with a song they debuted at the club’s opening. You can probably guess what it was…
Dave Mirabella is a supremely talented songwriter. He manages to get to the heart of the matter with a few chords from his Martin and a memorable melody. He played down in Moe’s Lounge as part of Bands For Babs. As an added bonus, his brother Mike (also his bandmate in The Rationales) jumped behind the kit.
Talk about a night of great songs. First we had Airport. Now, The Rationales.* On a Sunday. I’m alive and well at Radio, but I feel like I’ve died and gone to well-crafted-pop-n-roll heaven. We’re spoiled, folks.
* The Wooden Sky from Toronto topped the bill for a perfect songsmith trifecta.
Great songs have always been a trademark of The Rationales. Saturday night these guys added a couple of new gems to their setlist. I immediately fell in love with “Let It Go,” a song that wouldn’t sound out of place on side two of Abbey Road. Keep an ear out for that one.
In case David Mirabella and his bandmates in The Rationales didn’t know it already, a large contingent of their fans sang along to remind them that they have some of the best songs in town. When the band plays them with the fire and passion that they did in the Rumble Semifinal, it’s going to be a good night. Last night was a good night.
Semifinal Night #2 Winner: Garvy J. And The Secret Pockets Of Hope And Resistance
When a good rock n’ roll band finds its groove, it’s a wonderful thing. It becomes as much about what you feel as what you hear. I feel good right now. I just heard something great. It was a wonderful thing.
The Rationales just played their Rumble preliminary set. By the time they got to “No Guarantees”, a personal favorite of mine, they were so locked in nothing could derail them. The last three songs of their set felt like a victory lap. That’s the beauty of the Rumble. Win or lose, bands rise to the occasion. Bands like The Rationales.
My gut is confirmed. The Rationales take night #1.
The Rationales were the first band to grace the stage of Radio, Somerville’s newest rock club. This honor was not lost on them. The band treated the ever-growing crowd to a tight set of Americana-tinged power pop. The band was even moved to debut a new song. It’s called “Radio”. Nice touch.
Here we are at the end of a most pleasant evening. The Rationales have released a wonderful new album, The Distance In Between, and we all came out and celebrate.
After The Rationales opened the night with a laid back acoustic set, we were treated to the power pop stylings of The Future Everybody. Before long we found ourselves enthralled by OldJack’s performance. Now The Rationales were coming back out to give us a proper send off. Their performance was heartfelt and determined. They were not about to let anyone leave disappointed. The Rationales sent us home smiling.
I think I’m still humming “No Guarantees”.
